I'm going to be gone basically for the rest of May. See you in June.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Keep small groups focused on outreach
by Chuck Lawless at Church Central
As a pastor, I learned early on that small groups were essential to the church. They provided opportunities for growth that the church could not offer in a large group setting. Members cared for each other when I could not possibly be there to meet every need in the church. More specifically, small groups became a central player in our church's evangelistic strategy.
Most healthy churches have both open groups and closed groups. Open groups use an on-going curriculum that allows guests to enter the study at any point. They do not have a set calendar limit (e.g., the number of weeks meeting). And they emphasize evangelism, with the goal of becoming an entry point for guests. This goal helps an open group strive to grow enough to multiply at least annually. In contrast, closed groups use a set curriculum that limits entrance once a study has started. These groups typically meet for a set number of weeks. They emphasize discipleship, with the goal of strengthening a believer's walk. They strive to grow believers who then reach out to others.
The problem in most churches is that open groups essentially become closed groups when steps are not taken to avoid this direction. Because evangelism is difficult, many open groups see few unbelievers attending their group. The default position is to focus more on believers. The evangelistic focus thus quietly disappears as the group slowly becomes closed.
How does a church make sure that open groups remain evangelistic?
Counseling Habitual Sin
Taken from the Association of Biblical Counselors
In October 2004 in Lafayette, Indiana, I had the opportunity to attend the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (NANC) conference. Of all the breakout sessions I attended, one of the most useful was entitled: The 3 A's of Habitual Sin Counseling. The presenter was Will Lohnes from Shepherds Grace Church in Medina, Ohio. Lohnes presented a unique and biblical method of counseling those involved in all types of habitual sins.The key word to freedom from habitual sin is being radical. Being radical in applying the three A's is the quality of total and complete thoroughness. These include: Radical Amputation, Radical Appropriation, and Radical Accountability. Being radical means that there can not be any condition or limit imposed during the counseling process. The person being counseled must open up his entire life and be willing to talk and explain the difficult areas of his life. The counselor must question the willingness to change by being radical in the possibilities of changes.Radical amputation is the total and complete severing of the sin and all its avenues. Lohnes says that this is important because if there is any allowance given to the sin, it will come back with a vengeance. If this principle is not accepted or implemented then all else will fail. Lohnes explains this concept by pointing out the illustration in Matthew 5: 29-30. Therefore, the counselor must find the sin avenues and cut them off.Freedom from habitual sin does not come without radical appropriation. It is paramount for the counselee to refocus their attention on God and His righteousness. In other words, they must incorporate Biblical learning and prayer in the place of sin time. Simply stated, subtract sin time and replace it with time for God. However, Lohnes stressed that subtraction without addition results in multiplication. Appropriation must be the process of filling what is taken away in the habitual sinner's life.Mark 3:14 is a key passage in understanding radical accountability. If the counselee is not held accountable or watched over by a fellow brother or sister in Christ then he/she will fail in trying to overcome the sin. Lohnes made a good point that as counselors we must be willing and able to hold people accountable. Therefore, if we as counselors are not willing to be accountable, we can not truly hold anyone else accountable. Radical accountability should be constant and used in a direct manner.
Click here to join the Association of Biblical Counselors and to gain access to their very helpful and useful website.
Pray 36 Purposes of God
Taken from Prayer Today Online
God’s Revealed Purposes For The Church
As you pray for your church pray God’s purposes
- 1. That we pursue lost people as Jesus did. (Luke 19:10)
2. That we evangelize our circles of influence. (Acts 1:18)
3. That we worship God in Spirit and Truth. (John 4:22-24)
4. That we love God with all our hearts, minds, souls, strength. (Deut 6:5/Lk 10:27)
5. That we all become more like Jesus (I Peter 2:21)
6. That we all be radical followers of Jesus (Luke 9:23-26, 57-62)
7. That we grow strong in faith believing God for great things. (Romans 4:20-21)
8. That we be disciplers, teaching all things that Jesus taught. (Mt 28:19-20)
9. That we learn to pray, fervently and effectively. (Heb 4:16, I Thes 5:17, I Tim 2:1-2)
10. That we preach “the Word.” (2 Tim. 4:2)
11. That we “admonish” one another daily. (Heb 10:25)
12. That we surrender our bodies as living sacrifices. (Romans 12:1-2)
13. That we henceforth be no longer children but grow up. (Heb 5:12-14)
14. That we henceforth live no longer unto ourselves but for Jesus. (2 Cor. 5:15)
15. That we cease loving the world. (I John 2:15-17)
16. That we be a glorious church w/o spot or wrinkle. (Eph 5:27)
17. That we be holy. (Mt 5:48, I Thes 4:3,7; I Peter 1:16)
18. That we be sexually pure. (I Cor 6:19-20)
19. That we share, break bread, have fellowship in homes. (Acts 2:42-46)
20. That we challenge, train, equip, send, support missionaries. (Acts 13:2-4; 16:5-10)
21. That we are filled with the Holy Spirit. (Eph 5:18)
22. That we bring our children up in nurture of the Lord. (Eph 6:4)
23. That we forsake not the assembling of ourselves together. (Heb 10:25)
24. That we aggressively minister to “little ones.” (Mt 19:14)
25. That we identify and exercise our gifts. (I Cor 12, Romans 12, Eph 4)
26. That we sing to the Lord. (Eph 5:19, Col 3:16)
27. That we give thanks in everything, good or bad. (I Thes 5:18, Eph 6:20)
28. That we give to the Lord cheerfully and liberally. (2 Cor 9:6-10)
29. That we trust God to heal our bodies. (James 5:14-16)
30. That we confess our faults, failures, and weaknesses, one to another. (James 5:16)
31. That we are able to give a reasoned answer to our faith. (I Peter 3:15)
32. That we resist the devil and he flees. (I Peter 5:8-10, Eph 6:10-18)
33. That we forgive one another and make restitution. (Mt 6:14-15, Eph 4:29-32)
34. That we partake of the Lord’s table worthily. (I Cor 11:26-30)
35. That we follow the Lord in baptism. (Mt 3:14-17)
36. That we love one another so intensely the world sees and believes. (John 13:35)
When we pray God's purposes we are safe. His promises will never fail. His purpose will always be accomplished. When we pray His purposes we pray "in the will of God" and according to the Spirit. There is no better way to enter into the heart of God.
Prayer for Today
Oh God, Giver of Life
Stewardship Prayer
from Stewardship of Life Institute
Oh Lord, giver of life and source of our freedom, we are reminded by the Psalmist that Yours is “the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it.”
We know that it is from your hand that we have received all we have, and are, and will be. Gracious and loving God, we understand that You call us to be the stewards of Your abundance, the caretakers of all You have entrusted to us.
Help us always to use Your gifts wisely and teach us to share them generously. May our faithful stewardship bear witness to the love of Christ in our lives. We pray with grateful hearts, in Jesus’ name.
Amen
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Preliminary Assessment of General Conference 2008
2008 GENERAL CONFERENCE
Preliminary Assessment of General Conference 2008
By Dr. Riley B. Case of the Confessing Movement
General Conference is over-that we know. General Conference actually ended on Friday, May 2, as scheduled, beating the midnight clock. That is good. What is not so good is that in the rush to the end numbers of petitions were passed or rejected with little or no debate. Numbers of resolutions, for example, that deal with complex social issues on which the church desires to take a stand, and which should have received careful debate, were dealt with in a very few minutes because of the late hour the last night. The result will be a bulkier and even more confusing Book of Resolutions. As recently as 1980, the Book of Resolutions consisted of 85 resolutions in 224 pages. In 2004, it held 368 resolutions on 970 pages. There will be plenty more in the 2008 book.
One resolution not passed was the resolution to withdraw from the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Though the vote was much closer (386-418) than at other General Conferences, the petition failed. One significant abortion-related petition added the phrase to the Social Principles section on abortion: "respects the sacredness..of the unborn child." The significance is that the unborn child is called an unborn child and not a fetus.
Evangelicals and others are very much concerned about an amendment to the Constitution Article IV which, while innocuous sounding, is really about homosexuality and the push to approve homosexuality by judicial means. The article as it now stands reads: "All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services..and become professing members.." The new language drops the words without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition so that the sentence reads: "All persons shall be eligible..to become professing members.." Since "all persons" means all persons this means no restrictions can be placed on membership for any reasons; the practice of homosexuality being just one example. One does not need to repent, or accept Christ, or believe the doctrines, or be committed to the church as long as the person is willing to receive the vows understood as he or she chooses to understand them.
An activist Judicial Council could well interpret the Constitutional article to overturn prohibitions on the ordination and appointment of practicing homosexual.
Since constitutional amendments need to be ratified by two-thirds of the annual conferences, this matter will be up for a great deal of discussion in the coming weeks.
The petition (requiring two-thirds vote) was carried by just three votes. Because of the press of time, debate time was limited. Unfortunately, many African delegates had to leave the conference early and were not present for the vote.
The conference adopted a budget of 643 million dollars over the four-year period. This will amount to a 1.2% increase per year. In the budget was a $600,000 line item to fund the committee that will examine the regional conferences proposal.
What is the overall assessment of the General Conference? It is still too early to say. However, future articles will examine some of the legislation in more depth.
Adventurers in the making...
Who needs Prince Caspian?
(...although we can't wait for Prince Caspian)
What Is A Disciple and How Do You Become One?
by Patrick Morley, Ph.D. at Man in the Mirror
There is raging in the cosmos and all around us a titanic battle between the forces of good and evil for men’s souls. This battle is raging out of control in neighborhoods across America—your neighborhood. Sound overstated?
Think for a moment about the casualties taking place on your street, where you work, even your church. Men leave, women weep, a little 12 year old girl prays, “God, why is my daddy always so angry?”
This is a real battle. These are real men with real families. What is the solution?
The Greatest Speech in History
The final marching orders from Jesus are, “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:18-20). Those orders still stand. They have not been amended, altered, or rescinded. The central mission of the church—the overarching goal—is to “make disciples.” More millions of people and more billions of dollars have been mobilized by this brief message than any other speech in recorded history.
Discipleship is the process by which we become civilized. There is one, and only one, way any of us can win the battle for our soul. It is simple and concrete. We need to become disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
What Is a Disciple?
What does it mean to be a disciple? In the Bible the word for disciple literally means “pupil” or “learner.” When applied to the early Christians, it came to mean someone who declared a personal allegiance to the teachings and person of Jesus. The life of a disciple revolves around Jesus.
Here’s a working definition you can build around:
Click here to read the whole article.
Devotional for Today
Building a Leader: The Right Raw Material (Peter)
Taken from John MacArthur's Drawing Near
The twelve apostles included "Simon, who is called Peter" (Matt. 10:2).
Peter is a good illustration of how God builds a spiritual leader. He begins with a person's natural traits and works from there. Natural traits alone don't make a spiritual leader--the person must also be gifted and called by the Holy Spirit to lead in the church and be a model of spiritual virtue. But often God endows future leaders with natural abilities that constitute the raw materials from which He builds spiritual ministries. That was certainly the case with Peter, who demonstrated the leadership qualities of inquisitiveness, initiative, and involvement.
Peter was always asking questions. In fact, the gospel records show he asked more questions than all the other disciples combined! People who aren't inquisitive don't make good leaders because they're not concerned about problems and solutions.
Initiative was another indicator of Peter's leadership potential. He not only asked questions, but also was often the first to respond when Jesus asked the questions (e.g., Matt. 16:15-16; Luke 8:45).
Also, Peter loved to be in the middle of the action, even when it got him into trouble. For example, we might criticize his lack of faith when he sank after walking on water, but remember, the rest of the disciples never even got out of the boat.
Peter was inquisitive, showed initiative, and sought to be involved. How about you? Are you inquisitive about God's truth? Do you take the initiative to learn about Him? Do you want to be involved in what He is doing? If so, you have the raw material for spiritual leadership. Continue to cultivate those qualities, allowing the Spirit to use you for God's glory.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Pray for your spiritual leaders.
Ask God for opportunities to lead others in the way of righteousness. Use every opportunity to its fullest.
For Further Study:
Read the following verses, noting the kinds of questions Peter asked: Matthew 15:15, Matthew 18:21, Matthew 19:27, Mark 13:2-4, and John 21:20-22.
Also, visit Grace to You
Prayer for Today
Most caring God, we deeply regret how much lip-service we pay the Gospel, how little and seldom we actually live it, and how much we do to drive people away from the faith by our hypocrisy. Forgive us, we pray, and impress upon us the examples of Jesus and his earliest followers, who led others to a saving relationship with you, not just by their preaching and verbal witness, but by the testimony of their deeds. In his name and spirit we pray. Amen.
Paul A. Laughlin
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Wesley's Notes on...
1 Peter 4:12-14 and 5:6-11 (goes with today's Scripture)
Chapter 4
12 - Wonder not at the burning which is among you - This is the literal meaning of the expression. It seems to include both martyrdom itself, which so frequently was by fire, and all the other sufferings joined with, or previous to, it; which is permitted by the wisdom of God for your trial. Be not surprised at this.
13 - But as ye partake of the sufferings of Christ - 1Peter 4:1, while ye suffer for his sake, rejoice in hope of more abundant glory. For the measure of glory answers the measure of suffering; and much more abundantly.
14 - If ye are reproached for Christ - Reproaches and cruel mockings were always one part of their sufferings. The Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you - The same Spirit which was upon Christ, Luke 4:18. He is here termed, the Spirit of glory, conquering all reproach and shame, and the Spirit of God, whose Son, Jesus Christ is. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified - That is, while they are blaspheming Christ, you glorify him in the midst of your sufferings, 1Peter 4:16.
Chapter 5
6 - The hand of God - Is in all troubles.
7 - Casting all your care upon him - In every want or pressure.
8 - But in the mean time watch. There is a close connexion between this, and the duly casting our care upon him. How deeply had St. Peter himself suffered for want of watching! Be vigilant - As if he had said, Awake, and keep awake. Sleep no more: be this your care. As a roaring lion - Full of rage. Seeking - With all subtilty likewise. Whom he may devour or swallow up - Both soul and body.
9 - Be the more steadfast, as ye know the same kind of afflictions are accomplished in - That is, suffered by, your brethren, till the measure allotted them is filled up.
10 - Now the God of all grace - By which alone the whole work is begun, continued, and finished in your soul. After ye have suffered a while - A very little while compared with eternity. Himself - Ye have only to watch and resist the devil: the rest God will perform. Perfect - That no defect may remain. Stablish - That nothing may overthrow you. Strengthen - That ye may conquer all adverse power. And settle you - As an house upon a rock. So the apostle, being converted, does now "strengthen his brethren."
There was no note for verse 11.
Thanks to The Wesley Center Online
The Power of Vision for Your Marriage
Taken from Marriage Today.org
Can major disagreements be avoided?
Amos 3:3 contains a vital message that applies to married couples. It says, "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" Often a couple will marry without first discussing important topics, such as money, sex, children, employment, etc. When these issues surface later in the relationship, couples may find their views differ greatly. The resulting tension and arguments place unnecessary strain on a marriage relationship.
Can these disagreements be avoided? How can couples resolve their differences on such important issues? The answer lies in one simple word: vision. Couples who are able to define a clear vision for their marriages find that the arguing and fighting over key issues is greatly minimized.
In the April Rock Solid Marriage resource, Jimmy Evans is joined by his wife, Karen, and David and Linda Smith, to discuss the importance of vision in a marriage. They also offer practical steps to help couples define and implement that vision. Here are excerpts from this helpful teaching:
Click here to read the whole article.
Scripture for Today
1 Peter 4:12-14
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
1 Peter 5:6-11
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
[8] Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
[10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. [11] To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer for Today
Lord, so often amid a busy and hectic world we tend to lose sight of Your Kingdom and Your eternal victory to come. Too often when tested by hard times we seek relief and comfort and we fail to look for Your leadership or ways You might be glorified through our lives. Forgive us, Lord, and help us keep the focus of every day on You. In Christ we pray. Amen.
James R. Wilson
Tim Tebow and Eric Liddell
About two weeks ago I was watching one of my favorite movies, Chariots of Fire. There's a great scene in it that shows Eric Liddell, after winning a race for Scotland, sharing the Gospel with a group of people. His celebrity as an athlete gave him influence for Christ which he took full advantage of.
Here's a great article about Tim Tebow doing the same thing. I have previously written about how weary I am about how infatuated the church today is over celebrity testimonies. Tebow, like Liddell, however, seems to be the genuine article. May God richly bless him and his opportunities to share Christ with the watching world. And may God protect him from the countless temptations that he will face.
PS - This is not an endorsement of the Florida Gators. GO DAWGS!
King Over All, King Forever
By T.M. Moore at My Paruchia.com
Though the kings of the earth are proud in their spotless garments, after the flood-tide they will perish: one after another they will pass away. The fair devoted King, Jesus, above the wave of the flood - blessed His birth from Mary; He remains after them all. The demon's power has been maimed, with his black hideous host; the mighty strength of our King remains intact forever. If we should come beneath His crown, His share will come; as He is not weak or feeble, He will not fail therein.
- Feilire Oengusso, Irish, 9th century
For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet...When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to Him Who put all things in subjection to Him, that God may be all in all.
- 1 Corinthians 15.25, 28
In these times of politicial high-profiling - which is becoming more the norm - it is good to remind ourselves each day that there is really only one King, and He is King over all and forever. The platforms, promises, and preachments of the presidential aspirants sound puny and paltry compared to the precious and magnificent promises of the Kingdom of God. The cheers and applause of adoring partisans pale into insignificance against the eternal shouting and singing of the saints and angels in glory. The inauguration which will occur in January is but an eyeblink in the light of the coronation which has occurred in heaven, where Christ is seated at the Father's right hand. And the passing of the torch of administration from this current president to the next is but the handing on of a dying flame. The administration and rule of Christ is increasing day by day, and a day is coming when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. And when that finally happens, then even Jesus our King will hand over His complete victory to God the Father, and He will be all in all - in us, through us, over us, around and under us, and we all in Him, forever. Let us not for a moment lose sight of that eternal horizon, or fail to press toward it with all our heart, mind, conscience, and strength every day of our lives.
T. M. Moore
Monday, May 5, 2008
Discipleship Overview
Discipleship Overview
By: Hampton Keathley IV
Introduction
In a church questionnaire for the men’s group, men were asked if they would like to be mentors or be discipled. When the results came back, many men wanted to be discipled, but very few men volunteered to be mentors. Many people are reluctant to take on the job of mentoring or discipling. Why is that?
Click here to read the whole article.
Scripture for Today
Acts 1:6-14
So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
[7] He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
[9] After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
[10] They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. [11] "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
[12] Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. [13] When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. [14] They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, we remember how difficult it was for us when we first left the comfort and security of life with our parents. Wherever we face change we find our confidence shaken. Especially during these times help us to be aware of your power. Enable us to trust the ability of those around us. Renew our faith in your love and your presence wherever the future may lead us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
H. Burnham Kirkland
Devotional for Today
Inspirational Readings by A.B. Simpson
Days of Heaven on Earth
God is waiting today to mark the opening hours, for every ready and willing heart, with a touch of life and power that will lift us to higher pleasures and offer to our vision grander horizons of hope and holy service. We shall not need to look far to discover our risen Lord. He was in advance even of the earliest seeker that Easter morning, and He will be waiting for us before the break of day with His glad "All hail" if we only have eyes to see and hearts to welcome and obey Him. What is His message to us this springtime? If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1, 3). It is not just risen with Christ, but resurrected. It is not rising a little higher in the old life, but it is rising from the dead. The resurrection will mean no more than the death has meant. Only so far as we are really dead shall we live with Him.
Taken from The Christian Missionary Alliance
United Methodist Beliefs
Article I—Of Faith in the Holy Trinity
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2004. Copyright 2004 by The United Methodist Publishing House.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Prayer Requests
If you have a prayer request for this week that you would like to share with others and me, please click on "comments" immediately below this post and write it out in the provided space. Doing that will enable anyone who clicks on "comments" to read and pray for your request(s).
You may also want to check back later to discover how you can pray for someone else...or offer your support and encouragement.
If you have a prayer request that is more private in nature, then please do not hesitate to email me directly. My email address is DaleTedder@yahoo.com. It would be an honor and a blessing to pray for you.
Blessings,
Dale
Prayer for this Lord's Day
Taken from KenBoa.org
YOUR WORD
I am grateful to You, O God, for the blessing of your forgiveness. I thank You that in Christ, You set me free from the guilt of the past and give me hope for the future.
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts. (Proverbs 17:3)
You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your presence. (Psalm 90:8)
Take a moment to ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.
MY PRAYER
Your commandments will be upon my heart, and I will teach them diligently to my children and talk about them when I sit in my house and when I walk along the way and when I lie down and when I rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. (Proverbs 13:1)
Lord, I thank You for Your truth and for Your mighty works on behalf of Your people. I ask that I would please You by walking in faith and that I would impart Your word to others.
Tozer Devotion for This Lord's Day
The Holy are Humble
The Church in America suffered a greater loss than she has since discovered when she rejected the example of good men and chose for her pattern the celebrity of the hour. Human greatness cannot be determined by popularity polls nor by the number of lines any man rates in the public press. It is altogether unlikely that we know who our greatest men are. One thing is sure, however--the greatest man alive today is the best man alive today. That is not open to debate. To discover the good great man (granted that it would be to our profit to do so) would require more than human wisdom. For the holy man is also the humble man and the humble man will not advertise himself nor allow others to do it for him. Spiritual virtues run deep and silent. Like the tide or the pull of gravitation or the shining of the sun, they work without noise, but their gracious ministrations are felt around the whole earth. The Christian who is zealous to promote the cause of Christ can begin by living in the power of the Spirit and so reproducing the life of Christ in the sight of men. In deep humility and without ostentation he can let his light shine. The world may pretend not to see, but it will see, nevertheless, and more than likely it will get into serious trouble with its conscience over what it sees.
Prayer: Lord, You humbled Yourself in degree I can never know. Yet the more I gaze upon You the more reason I have to be humble.
Scripture: And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!— Philippians 2:8
Thought: Andrew Murray wrote: "Pride is the likeness of Sat